U.S. patent number 9,867,494 [Application Number 14/335,859] was granted by the patent office on 2018-01-16 for reciprocating coffee filter.
The grantee listed for this patent is Spencer Frazer. Invention is credited to Spencer Frazer.
United States Patent |
9,867,494 |
Frazer |
January 16, 2018 |
Reciprocating coffee filter
Abstract
A reciprocating coffee filter and method is shown. One
embodiment provides a coffee maker including a housing to receive a
filter basket, a coffee filter basket to receive a coffee filter,
and a reciprocation assembly connected to the housing and the
coffee filter basket, the reciprocation assembly to oscillate a
filter basket during a brewing process. Another embodiment provides
a method for filling a coffee filter within a filter basket with
coffee grounds, pouring hot water on the coffee grounds to brew the
coffee, and oscillating the filter basket to increase coffee ground
and hot water interaction while brewing.
Inventors: |
Frazer; Spencer (Seattle,
WA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Frazer; Spencer |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
56406858 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/335,859 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160206134 A1 |
Jul 21, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J
31/06 (20130101); A23F 5/262 (20130101); A47J
31/446 (20130101); A47J 31/0631 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47J
31/44 (20060101); A23F 5/26 (20060101); A47J
31/06 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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4122547 |
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Jan 1993 |
|
DE |
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29713279 |
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May 1998 |
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DE |
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Other References
English Translation for DE29713279 published May 1998. cited by
examiner .
English Translation for DE4122547 published Jan. 1993. cited by
examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Weier; Anthony
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Forrest Law Office, P.C.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A coffee maker with a reciprocating filter, comprising: a
housing to receive a filter basket; a filter basket to receive a
coffee filter; and a reciprocation assembly connected to the
housing and the filter basket, the reciprocation assembly to
oscillate the filter basket during a brewing process, wherein the
reciprocation assembly includes a large wheel coupled with the
filter basket and a small wheel coupled to the large wheel by a
linkage arm, wherein when the small wheel rotates the large wheel
oscillates, and in turn the filter basket oscillates.
2. A coffee maker with a reciprocating filter, comprising: a
housing to receive a filter basket; a filter basket to receive a
coffee filter; and a reciprocation assembly connected to the
housing and the filter basket, the reciprocation assembly to
oscillate the filter basket during a brewing process wherein the
reciprocation assembly includes a large wheel coupled with the
filter basket and a small wheel coupled with the large wheel by a
belt, wherein when the small wheel oscillates the large wheel and
therefore the filter basket oscillate.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to coffee makers, filters or filter baskets.
More specifically embodiments disclosed herein relate to an
apparatus and method to reciprocate or otherwise move brewing
coffee during a brewing process.
Prior Art
Conventional coffee makers have a fixed relationship between a
nozzle and a coffee filter or filter basket. This arrangement can
cause uneven brewing of grounds in the coffee filter or filter
basket, resulting in uneven extraction, incompletely brewed and
over brewed grounds, etc. Some coffee makers address these
considerations by rotating a coffee filter or filter basket with or
without relative motion of a water dispensing nozzle over the
filter or filter basket. In this way there may be a more even
distribution of water over coffee grounds, but there may still be
uneven extraction or brewing times similar to other conventional
approaches for similar brew strength.
SUMMARY
Accordingly, a method and apparatus for a reciprocating coffee
filter is described below in the Detailed Description. For example,
one disclosed embodiment provides a coffee maker including a
housing to receive a filter basket, a coffee filter basket to
receive a coffee filter, and a reciprocation assembly connected to
the housing and the coffee filter basket, the reciprocation
assembly to oscillate a filter basket during a brewing process.
Another example embodiment provides a method for filling a coffee
filter within a filter basket with coffee grounds, pouring hot
water on the coffee grounds to brew the coffee, and oscillating the
filter basket to increase coffee ground and hot water interaction
while brewing.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a
simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed
Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features
or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject
matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to
implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any
part of this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment coffee maker with a
reciprocating filter.
FIG. 2 shows a coffee filter and drip crater.
FIG. 3 shows a rotating filter with a moveable nozzle.
FIG. 4 shows one embodiment reciprocation assembly with a linkage
arm.
FIG. 5 shows one embodiment reciprocation assembly with coupled
gears.
FIG. 6 shows one embodiment reciprocation assembly with two wheels
connected by a belt.
FIG. 7 shows one embodiment reciprocation assembly with a magnetic
coupling.
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment filter having an oval cross-section.
FIG. 9 shows an embodiment filter with a clover cross-section.
FIG. 10 shows an embodiment filter with internal fins.
FIG. 11 shows an embodiment filter basket and ring.
FIG. 12 shows an embodiment filter basket with filter
fasteners.
FIG. 13 shows an example sinusoidal reciprocation with adjustable
amplitude and period.
FIG. 14 shows an example sinusoidal reciprocation with an envelope
program.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example method for a reciprocating
coffee filter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment coffee maker 100 with a reciprocating
filter 150. Coffee maker 100 includes a housing 110 that receives a
carafe 130, a filter basket 120 and a filter 150, and a
reciprocation assembly 140. In the present embodiment, coffee maker
100 includes a reciprocation assembly 140 coupled with coffee
filter 150. A reciprocation assembly may be coupled directly or
indirectly to coffee filter 150 or to filter basket 120. In other
embodiments, reciprocation assembly 140 may be coupled with filter
basket 120, with housing 110, or with other parts of coffee maker
100 suitable to move coffee grounds during a brewing process. In
this way, ground coffee in coffee filter 150 may undergo a wash
motion while brewing.
While the illustrated embodiment shows a reciprocation assembly,
other embodiments may use vibration, a sloshing or rocking motion,
oscillation, mechanical stirring, or other relative motions between
coffee grounds and water during a brewing process. Reciprocating or
other similar motion of brewing coffee wets coffee in a more
uniform manner, suspends the coffee grounds in the brewing water,
increases surface contact between coffee grounds and water, creates
a more even drainage, and creates a more uniform extraction. A
reciprocating or oscillating or other motion can be accomplished
with electronic servo motors, a crank and gear device, belt drive
with reversing motors, an eccentric flywheel motor, and by other
suitable motors, gears, linkages, electromagnetism, physical
movement of magnets, etc. Additionally, various types of vibration
can be used, including a slight up and down motion, a slight back
and forth motion, a combination of these motions, etc. In some
embodiments, an eccentric motor can be attached to a lever that
bridges to the filter basket and increases this vibration. While
the illustrated embodiments are discussed with reference to coffee
grounds, they may be used for other food materials that may be
steeped or brewed, such as tea, infusions, etc. Additionally, in
some embodiments a filter may be used, a filter basket in
conjunction with a filter, a filter basket that operates as a
filter itself, etc. Therefore a filter may be a conventional paper
filter, a filter basket itself, or other suitable filtering
devices.
FIG. 2 shows a conventional coffee filter 200 and drip crater 220
caused by nozzle 210. Additionally, conventional coffee filter 200
includes flow lines 230, and an over-extracted area 240 and an
under-extracted area 250 of coffee grounds. In this conventional
arrangement, coffee grounds are extracted at different intensities
within filter 200 and this difference is exacerbated by longer
required brewing times due to filter 200 being stationary during a
brewing process.
FIG. 3 shows a rotating filter 300 with a moveable nozzle 310. As
illustrated, the coffee grounds still have a circular valley due
only to rotation 365 of rotating filter 300 about an axis 360
without moving moveable nozzle 310. As moveable nozzle 310 is moved
along the line 315, either toward the center of the rotating filter
300 or toward the outer wall, the top surface of the coffee grounds
would become more even. However, this approach primarily improves
initial rinsing of the coffee grounds but does not substantially
change extraction during brewing.
With reference back to FIG. 1, coffee maker 100 may have a nozzle
and filter basket 150 in a fixed position to each other, or they
may have relative motion distinct from the motion caused by
reciprocation assembly 140. For example, a reciprocation assembly
150 may be used in conjunction with the filter and nozzle
arrangement of FIG. 2, FIG. 3, or in other arrangements.
FIGS. 4-7 illustrate some example embodiments of a reciprocation
assembly. While these embodiments show a two wheel/gear system or
concentric rings, other embodiments may use servomotors,
step-motors, etc. to generate the reciprocation. With reference to
FIG. 4, an embodiment reciprocation assembly 400 with a linkage arm
430 is shown. In this embodiment, a smaller wheel 420 is coupled to
a larger wheel 410 by linkage arm 430, and the larger wheel is
coupled to a coffee filter or filter basket. As wheel 425 rotates
the linkage arm 430 will cause wheel 410 to oscillate 415 and
therefore oscillate the coffee filter or filter basket. As can be
seen in the illustration, wheel 420 has a smaller diameter than
wheel 410. In this way, as wheel 420 rotates, the linkage arm 430
only causes wheel 410 to oscillate and does not cause a full
rotation, however, other embodiments are not so limited. In some
embodiments wheel 420 may also not fully rotate but may be actuated
back and forth by a motor or other driver or assembly and will
still cause wheel 410 to oscillate. By changing the location of
linkage arm 430 on either wheel, such as by changing the relative
radial distance from the axle to the linkage arm pivot point, the
relative oscillation between wheel 420 and 410 can be adjusted.
FIG. 5 shows one embodiment reciprocation assembly 500 with coupled
gears 520 and 510. In this embodiment, wheel 520 is in contact with
wheel 510, and as wheel 520 oscillates 525 it causes an oscillation
515 on wheel 510. In alternate embodiments, instead of coupled
gears 520 and 510 two wheels in contact may be used. Additionally,
any suitable connection between rotating elements that allows
oscillation of one to be transferred to the other may be used in
alternate embodiments. In similar fashion to the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 4, by changing the relative radius of gear 520
and gear 510, the transferred oscillation to wheel 510 can be
adjusted to a larger or smaller oscillation.
With reference to FIG. 6, an embodiment reciprocation assembly 600
includes two wheels 620 and 610 connected by a belt 630. Alternate
embodiments may use a chain or other similar flexible couplings. In
this embodiment, as wheel 625 oscillates back and forth, the belt
630 causes wheel 610 to oscillate back and forth. The relative
radius of wheel 620 to wheel 610 may be adjusted to change the
resultant oscillation in wheel 610 and therefore in the coffee
filter or filter basket.
In yet another example, as illustrated in FIG. 7 an embodiment
reciprocation assembly 700 may use a magnetic coupling between a
driven oscillating ring and a reciprocation assembly coupled with a
coffee filter or filter basket. In the depicted embodiment, an
outer ring 720 has magnet or magnetic material 750 and an inner
wheel 710 has a magnet or magnetic material 755. In this
arrangement, as the outer ring 720 is moved, magnetic force between
the magnetic components 750 and 755 will cause inner wheel 710 to
oscillate 715. In the illustration, the outer ring is shown
relatively concentric with the inner wheel, but other embodiments
are not so limited. For example, instead of an outer ring an
adjacent wheel to inner wheel 710 may be used or even other
arrangements so long as the magnetic forces can be communicated
between the driven part of the assembly and the inner wheel or
other structure as to allow the coffee filter or filter basket to
be reciprocated. In the embodiments in FIGS. 5-6, the large wheel
or the small wheel may be the wheel coupled to a filter basket or
coffee filter and therefore the complementary wheel would be the
drive wheel.
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment filter 800 having an oval cross-section
810 with a larger dimension 820 and a smaller dimension 830. The
oval cross-section 810 of filter 800 helps transfer movement of
filter 800 to coffee grounds or other material within filter 800
when the filter is oscillated. In this way, the shape promotes
particle interaction, a washing motion of the coffee grounds,
turbulence of the coffee grounds and water slurry, etc.
Specifically, in a circular filter the oscillation path of a
portion of the filter or a filter basket would be in the same path
as another portion of the filter or filter basket. That is, as a
circular filter rotates, it would only tend to rotate coffee
grounds within the filter basket by frictional forces against the
inner side of the filter. Another embodiment with a non-circular
cross-section is illustrated in FIG. 9 showing a filter 900 with a
clover cross-section wherein inner wall 940 would directly apply a
force to any coffee grounds within the filter 900 as the filter
oscillates.
In the depicted embodiment filter 800, as the oval cross-section
810 rotates in a clockwise direction, the inner wall portion 840
pushes against coffee grounds within the filter and thus induces
substantially more movement of the coffee grounds within the
filter. While the illustrated embodiment is substantially an oval
cross-section, other shapes may be used in similar fashion.
Additionally, a circular filter or filter basket may also be used,
but would impart less force onto the coffee grounds within the
filter or filter basket. Conventional filters or specially shaped
filters or filter baskets may be used according to the embodiments
disclosed herein.
In some embodiments, a filter 1000 may have internal fins 1060 such
as those depicted in FIG. 10. The internal fins may be a portion of
a filter basket or an integrated structure of a filter. In other
embodiments, folds in a coffee filter can be used. In this way, the
fins 1060 may either be used to secure a filter change a shape of a
filter, or to extend into coffee grounds directly to impart forces
in response to an oscillating basket.
FIG. 11 shows an embodiment 1100 having a filter basket 1160 and an
attachment portion such as ring 1170. In this embodiment, ring 1170
can be connected to filter basket 1160 to hold a filter 1140 in
place. In one example, filter 1140 may have a crown or fluted
section 1145 that may be fixed between ring 1170 and filter basket
1160. Ring 1170 may be magnetically fastened to filter basket 1160,
or may be threadedly engaged, have a press fitting, or may be
otherwise fixedly attached to filter basket 11600. In this way, as
filter basket 1160 undergoes an oscillation the force is directly
applied through filter 1140 and therefore results in a greater
movement of coffee grounds or other brewed or steeping matter
within the filter. In the present embodiment, the top portion is
ring 1170, while other non-circular shaped filter baskets may use a
ring 1170 they may also use other shaped complements to ring 1170
that may still suitably attach to the filter basket to secure a
filter.
FIG. 12 shows an embodiment 1200 having a filter basket 1260 with
filter fasteners. In this embodiment, a filter 1245 can be coupled
to filter basket 1260 with filters 1270. In this way, as filter
basket 1260 undergoes an oscillation the force is directly applied
through filter 1245 and therefore results in a greater movement of
coffee grounds or other brewed or steeping matter within the
filter. In some embodiments, fasteners may be separate from filter
basket, such as fastener 1270, or may be fixed to filter basket as
depicted by fastener 1280. While the illustrated embodiment shows
clasping fasteners, other suitable fasteners may be used.
FIGS. 13-14 show example oscillations that embodiment filter
baskets may use. A reciprocating coffee filter may be undergo a
relatively uniform oscillation or the oscillations may be time
varying. For example, in some embodiments a motor powering the
filter basket oscillation may be controlled according to a pattern
or based upon feedback from the filter basket so as to enhance a
brewing process, to reduce the chances of overflow, to vary the
oscillation based on stage of brewing, to help drain after brew, to
compact coffee grounds prior to brewing, etc.
FIG. 13 shows an example sinusoidal reciprocation 1300 with
adjustable amplitude 1310 and period 1320. In this way, the
oscillation of the filter basket or coffee filter may be controlled
to change in response to brewing stage, to overflow conditions,
etc. In one example, as brewing begins the filter basket may have a
larger amplitude and/or smaller period to cause more washing of
coffee grounds and water and after the coffee grounds are brewed
for a time the amplitude may be decreased or the period increased
to reduce the washing motion. Other embodiments are not so limited,
for example, it may be advantageous to have a greater washing
motion in the middle of brewing or later in the brewing process.
Or, based on the grind granularity, a set program may use a
specific amplitude and period that differs from the amplitude and
period used for a different grind granularity. In another example,
a torque-sensing motor may detect when a filter basket is
substantially full of water and coffee grounds and adjust the
amplitude or period respectively to reduce overflow conditions.
FIG. 14 shows an example sinusoidal reciprocation 1400 with a
boundary envelope 1410. In this example, the oscillation is
adjusted according to boundary envelope 1410 to start with greater
amplitude and slowly decay the amplitude. In the illustration, a
decaying envelope is used, but other embodiments are not so
limited. The boundary envelope may be a sinusoidal shape itself, a
square wave, a triangle wave, impulses, or other programmable
waveforms. In some embodiments the boundary envelope 1410 may be
adjusted by a user selected brew time. For example, a user may
select a quick brewing setting that increases the oscillating
motion in comparison to other brew settings. Or for a more mild
extraction a boundary envelope 1410 may reduce the maximum
amplitude to reduce the oscillation during brewing.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example method 1500 for a
reciprocating coffee filter. In the illustrated method 1500, block
1510 includes filling a coffee filter within a filter basket with
coffee grounds. In this embodiment, filling does not necessarily
mean until the coffee filter is full, although some embodiments may
have a full coffee filter. Additionally, in some embodiments a
filter basket may itself be a filter. In this way, block 1510 would
involve filling a coffee filter or, in the alternative, filling a
filter basket. Next, in block 1520, method 1500 comprises pouring
hot water on the coffee grounds to brew the coffee. However
embodiments are not so limited. For example, a cold brewing process
may be used and cold water or lukewarm water may be poured on the
coffee grounds and the coffee can then be brewed.
In block 1510, the filter basket is then oscillated to increase
coffee ground and hot water interaction while brewing. In some
embodiments, the filter basket may be oscillated according to a
time varying oscillation. Additionally, in some embodiments the
filter basket may be oscillated within a boundary envelope. Some
embodiments may further include adjusting the oscillation of the
filter basket in response to a detected condition in the filter
basket. For example, a detected condition may be in response to a
certain fill level of the filter basket. In this way an overflow
condition can be countered.
It will further be understood that the configurations and/or
approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these
specific embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a
limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The
specific routines or methods described herein may represent one or
more of any number of processing strategies. As such, various acts
illustrated may be performed in the sequence illustrated, in other
sequences, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Likewise, the
order of any of the above-described processes is not necessarily
required to achieve the features and/or results of the embodiments
described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and
description.
The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and
nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various
processes, systems and configurations, and other features,
functions, acts, and/or properties disclosed herein, as well as any
and all equivalents thereof.
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